The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) have demanded compulsory pre-registration security screening for all Nigerian pilgrims bound for the 2027 Hajj, warning that recent arrests of suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders have laid bare critical gaps in existing protocols.
In a statement on Monday, IHR National Coordinator Ibrahim Muhammad insisted the move was vital to prevent criminal elements from exploiting Hajj and Umrah travel.
“Pre-registration screening should be made compulsory for all intending pilgrims participating in the 2027 Hajj exercise,” the group said. To achieve this, IHR proposed that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards establish dedicated security committees to vet applicants immediately after initial deposits are paid, prior to final registration.
“NAHCON and the State Boards should create security screening committees that will visit states every two weeks to obtain the profiles of intending pilgrims and properly vet them to prevent a repeat of what recently happened in Katsina State,” the statement added.
The organisation also advocated for a centralised, automated pilgrim registration portal synchronised with NAHCON permits. The system, they noted, should flag security risk indicators to “sieve out individuals or groups with dubious mindsets”.
IHR recalled that wanted criminal suspects were intercepted at embarkation points during the 2025 pilgrimage. “These incidents justify the need for thorough security screening of all intending pilgrims before the issuance of a visa every Hajj season,” it read.
While acknowledging the accelerated registration schedule for 2027 released by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the CSO stressed that security cannot be compromised. “Security must remain paramount in any exercise involving cross-border travel and the movement of large numbers of people,” the group said.
Expressing faith in NAHCON’s stewardship, IHR concluded: “We hope that NAHCON’s current leadership, which has so far demonstrated the capacity to effectively manage challenges, will give this proposal positive consideration to ensure that wanted criminals cannot exploit Hajj or Umrah operations as a means of travelling abroad.”